-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! ARTICLE 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ U.S. Forces placed on Alert -- Patriot Anti-missile Battery deployed to Israel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed.: Signal for a real crisis or overreaction? From: Middle East Newsline SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM -- January 26, 2001 *********************************************************** WASHINGTON - The United States has sent a Patriot anti-missile defense battery to Israel amid heightened concerns of a Middle East war. Pentagon sources said the heightened tension in the Middle East prompted a decision to place on alert U.S. forces in Germany and Italy. They said Washington has been concerned about an Iraqi attack on Israel amid reports that several Iraqi divisions have moved close to the Syrian border. The San Antonio Express-News published a copy of a U.S. military order that on Jan. 11 raised the alert status of U.S. forces from Threatcon Bravo to Alpha. Alpha is a heightened alert of a terrorist attack. "Recent intelligence indicates that an increased or more predictable threat exists, thus warranting the Threatcon change," the U.S. military order read. Pentagon officials said the Patriot missile brigade will participate in an exercise in Israel scheduled for Feb. 8. The exercise will last 15 days. The exercise, called "Juniper Cobra," will include about 400 members of the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade based near Frankfurt, Germany. A Patriot missile battery and personnel are expected to arrive by ship on Feb. 4 and join Patriot batteries already deployed in the Jewish state. "It is a training event to sustain interoperability between the U.S. Army and the Israeli defense forces," U.S. Army spokesman Maj. Tom Collins said. In December, Lockheed Martin was awarded a $212 million contract to produce an upgraded Patriot. =========================================================== ARTICLE 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Desert Storm Remembered ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed.: More Desert Storm observations, one from the enlisted, another from the officer perspective. I invite more input from other "Desert Stormers" out there. ******************************************************** Jimmy Duncan, formerly 82nd Airborne I could not agree more with your Desert Storm comments. America has the image of the 82nd Airborne at KKMC with clean uniforms and a-rations everyday, and Stormin Norman as almost a Napoleonic figure. In reality most of us were so far out in the Desert that it was unbelievable. I recall at 1st Brigade operations center where we ate MRE's for the first 71 days after arrival and then finally receiving some hot rations, once a week thereafter. We had ONE set of desert camouflage and I remember no desert boots. My commo shop had one tent and my Major and a Master Sergeant took it for themselves. So much for leading by example! I and all the other guys slept on the desert floor. We were given a new uniform to come home in -- just to look mean and combat ready. And did not Stormin Norman raise hell with General Franks for not keeping his Division on the move throughout the second night of the War? I do not know if this was good or bad, but Franks retired with 4 Stars, didn't he? And another thing about Desert Storm was the awards game...I got 2 ARCOMS but I know plenty of people who did not do anything and got Bronze Stars. I believe the majority of casualties was from friendly fire. And one more thing, Dick Cheney and George Bush Sr. started the draw down before the war and the base closings! Maybe we shouldn't celebrate the new guys too early. ----------------------------------------------------------- Still Fighting Desert Storm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ By Gary R. Stahlhut, Gulf War Vet Ten years ago, the air attacks on Iraq had begun and I was preparing my soldiers for the invasion of Iraq that was to follow. 4 1/2 weeks later we were 80 miles from Baghdad and were given the order to halt. Later that night a Reuters reporter was escorted into my command post (escorted by an Army public affairs officer) to talk with us and see how we felt about not attacking all the way to Baghdad. He asked me when I knew that Iraq had lost the war and what we should do now that Iraq was beaten. I told him that Iraq lost the war in the first 6 hours when they could not stop us from systematically destroying the infrastructure of the country from the air. I was also very candid about how we felt when we were told to stop. Here are my exact words: "Now that the Iraqi Republican Guard has been defeated, we need to keep going and occupy Baghdad. We need to hold a victory parade in Baghdad to show the Iraqis and any Arabs who support Saddam Hussein, that Saddam is defeated. If we don't do this, Saddam will look like he held off the world and will stay in power, and we will be screwing with this guy for the next 10 years." My executive officer chimed in and said," And we need to get his head on a silver platter." Unfortunately none of this was ever published, the Army censors rewrote everything. In 1993 my Father showed me a copy of the newspaper article from a wire report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The article entitled "From The Front Lines In Iraq" said "Captain Stahlhut reported the Iraqis have been decisively defeated and are conducting a strategic withdrawal." Now I admit that answer sounds good, the terminology being right out of the US Army War College, but it is far from what we really believed. Every Soldier from General Schwartzkopf to Private Schedlap knew what needed to be done. We understood we needed to destroy Saddam Hussein, not simply defeat him. Well, here we are 10 years and 31.5 Billion Dollars later (It costs the United States about 3.5 Billion a year to continue our military effort against Iraq) and we are still screwing with Saddam. The only two countries still involved in the conflict with Iraq are the United States (90% of the effort) and Great Britain (the other 10%). President Clinton's lack of direction and Madeline Albright's amateur approach to real-politics has allowed the Gulf War Alliance to fall apart. The UN Sanctions are not working, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Russia are allowing Iraqi oil to be transported and sold through their countries, and Saddam continues to snub his nose at us. As it stands now, the United States has keep 57,000 troops, 2 Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups and an Air Force Fighter Wing still stationed in the Persian Gulf, because there is no end in sight. I am not claiming to be psychic, but I am a student of history. Since the Korean War, we have consistently fought wars with unattainable goals, or ended them early based on unrealistic expectations. It is time to end this, there are larger, more dangerous enemies we will face in the near future. Our new administration needs to resolve this situation more than building a missile defense system. These endless missions drain money, wear out our equipment, lower the morale of our troops, and tie up our military from training to protect our nation (which should be their first priority). =========================================================== ARTICLE 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Senior Leader Corruption at the Root of our Military in Crisis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed.: It's been a disease we've been battling for a long time and which experienced a growth spurt since the Nam years: Careerism. A thought-provoking piece by a former Spec Ops NCO... ********************************************************* By Beach Medic 18, former Spec Ops NCO The power players, the Teflon careerists who comprise the Chain of Command, label true warriors demanding reform as reactionary, while questioning their patriotism and dedication. The Chain of Command does so because they cannot afford to have those who speak out against the corruption in America's military to be taken seriously. The power players ostracize these warriors and destroy their careers, using those ruined careers as examples against others who would listen to the arguments demanding reform. The present military leaders are terrified of a reality where someone would stand up and be counted, even though it would mean placing a career in jeopardy. Therefore, if a warrior operates outside the careerist's parameters, they are labeled a "nut." On the other hand, warriors have two names for careerists. These names are "sunshine patriot" and "coward." Where would we be as a country if, during the Revolutionary War, our forefathers' primary concern had been for their own careers? Most of those in positions of command seem to ignore the fact that if they had been alive in America's founding days, their "go along to get along" attitudes would label them as Tories. People who had the courage to make a stand became the patriots that comprised the Continental Army, and America needs the same caliber of individual to reform the military of the 21st century. It is dramatic, contentious, but on target when you compare America's present senior military leaders to the German generals who aligned themselves with Hitler. Those German generals caused the death of millions, devastated Europe and destroyed their own country because they "went along to get along" during the 20th century's ultimate military and social engineering project. By remaining silent during the last eight years, today's senior officers, and their toady NCOs, seem intent on mirroring the attempts of Hitler's generals to gain personal power, regardless of the welfare of the country. It is vital that people understand the passions and arguments concerning reform transcend careers. These demands for reform encompass the safety of our children and the welfare of America. As a society, have we become so depraved that we believe courage and honor can be turned on and off like a light switch? The "Sunshine Patriots" who have huddled together in silent safety during the Clinton administration are going to be the Generals, Admirals and Service Chiefs that will command our sons and daughters. How can anyone consider themself a patriot if, as a whole, we sit idle and allow our military to be ruined and America's safety to be jeopardized? Is our excuse to be that we cared more about personal gain? Shall we keep our silence because someone casting derision on our motives could hurt our feelings? Unfortunately, few will ever understand the dangerous situation that confronts America's military because the information lid is being sealed tight. Journals and publications would rather deal with new physical training uniforms than expose military corruption. Careers are being destroyed and years of service wasted because individuals dare to go outside the Chain of Command's reality and protest against the corruption. The present Generals and Admirals have no choice but to silence those protests. If any portion of those arguments is given the slightest chance of being proven true, it will invalidate those Flag level careers and exposes the rampant cowardice infecting the Pentagon. The Chain of Command dismisses reformers as reactionaries and labels them a group of "nuts." Well, who is insane? Is it the shameless careerist who looks into the mirror, sees a future general reflected, and embraces the cowardly acts it will take to attain that rank? Or is it the patriot that stands tall and places love of country above all else to save a military that is being destroyed by corruption? Reformers try and point out the simplicity of the problem. With too few exceptions, the Generals and Admirals are corrupt because only corrupt people become Generals and Admirals. Don't over complicate the problem. It would be highly unrealistic to expect the current group of moral contortionists to invite courageous warriors into their fold. Why would a hog choose to be compared to a pedigreed racehorse? If you do a "gut check" you know it's true. To attain senior rank over the last eight years, people have been forced to sell their souls. These people justify their selling out by saying they will work within the system until they attain sufficient rank to solve the problems. But the change never occurs, does it? Flag rank equates to power, and power corrupts. It is more addicting than heroin and just as lethal. A junkie will kill your family to get money for their fix, and a modern Flag officer will kill you and your children, as well as jeopardize the country, to get their "fix." Senior officers wrap themselves in the flag, place medals upon each other and try to project images of heroism, but answer this. What courage does it take to sit and watch events take place when you know they are wrong? Remember, these careerists know what's happening is wrong. They adopt the battle cry of "Just promote me and I'll fix the problem." Even worse, what if these future flag level officers are so devoid of morals they can't recognize the corruption? Should these be the ones given the responsibility of command? In either case, these are the individuals that continue to ascend into the positions of power. If anyone doubts this, consider the following for a moment. If just one General or Admiral went vocally, indignantly public and exposed the corruption with facts, figures and incidents, there would be no choice for the others. They would be forced to join the bandwagon of truth, or be exposed as an individual that will sacrifice lives, and more importantly, jeopardize the safety of America, in order to gain personal power. But the present Generals and Admirals will never let this happen, because they cannot allow the following question to be asked. "Why did you let the situation get to this disastrous point, and what were your priorities while it got this bad?" What possible excuses could be passed off as the truth? Could there be a more traitorous crime than jeopardizing the welfare of America, destroying the American military and sacrificing the lives of our children? Reformers and warriors think not, but remember, they're "nuts." =============================================================== ARTICLE 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Join the People who joined the Army" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed.: A revealing look at the past that we so often glorify. Bill makes an excellent point that it isn't really the slogan that recruits but good units led by up-front leaders. *********************************************************** By Bill Mann. I have been in retirement since 1993. My last humble job was as a PMS in SROTC. The Army couldn't wait to retire enough of year groups 71-72-73-74 to meet the downsizing goals of Bill Clinton. How ironic that we are now struggling to find leaders who can train and lead soldiers, and imbue them with "Army Values" and a "Warrior Ethic." There is an exodus, a flood, a bleed-out of many muddy-boot leaders who have had enough. My son is a Captain, he is still in but is waiting to see how things go. I feel a strange kinship to his generation of leaders. They too are trying to lead in an under-funded, over-missioned, under-trained force. The Army has not been this low since the 1970s. But we have always been subject to the whim of mobilizations and demobilizations...this is nothing new. The new mobilization is about to commence. I and my brothers were lieutenants in 1972. We were sent to Germany in large numbers. Nixon was drawing down Vietnam. Even volunteers for Vietnam were being sent to USAREUR. I arrived at my 8" unit in Jan '72. I found M548s all non-op and three of four howitzers totally dead-lined. One howitzer's tube was actually lying on the ground next to the carriage! The equipment had been cannibalized because no repair or replacement parts were trickling down to Germany. We were not the priority. Our leaders expected, nay demanded, that we make things happen without equipment, training funds, and with a motley assortment of soldiers. It seemed to be NCOs and Junior Officers against the world. I'm certain that the NCOs considered us a burden, but they knew they had a chance to create good leaders whom they could train in their own realistic knowledge and experience of what they knew the world to be really like. We were as yet un-jaded, green cherubs ready for the slaughter. We received many troops in our Divarty units who were finishing their draft hitch after their tour of duty in Vietnam. Many, if not most, were moderate to heavy drug users; the rest were heavy drinkers. We knew how to kick ass and lead drunks, but we didn't have a clue about the "druggies." We were the "Lieutenants of VOLAR." We saw the last draftees leave the army in 1975. We spent thankless years trying to lead an ill-equipped, and ill-manned Army filled with Cat IV enlistees and refugees from jail. Yes, I had soldiers in my unit who were given that option; this is not a myth. I remember that it took NCOs AND Officers to roll the troops out in the morning because they were bombed out, or recalcitrant, or both. The rooms looked, at best, like head shops and reeked of incense meant to cover up the odor of marijuana and hashish. Training was pitiful because it was measured, inconsistent, and inadequate. When we went for ATTs in Grafenwoehr, we had to crash train: battle drill's, live-fire, convoy, special weapons inspections...you name it...all happened at once and fell heavily upon the LTs and NCOs. More time was spent filling ferrying urine samples to the MEDDAC for drug testing than was spent in motor pools. We had long lists of people enrolled in rehab programs. Yet despite all of this, we hung in there. Through slogans like "Join the People Who've Joined the Army." Low pay, little realistic training, the uncontrolled growth of TDA Army, and Jimmy Carter. We outlasted the Gamma-goat, the silly ball caps, camo-ascots, inflated readiness reports, the integration of WACs into the regular force, the conversion of the dual promotion system of officers, RIFs, and frequently stupid, ignorant requirements from a conflicted and often self-contradictory chain of command. The Army recovered. Reagan's military build-up and mission oriented approach eventually turned things around. We can only hope that GW Bush will follow in his footsteps. My son, and his comrades are taking a wait and see approach, much the same as their fathers' generation did. As to slogans, they come and go. In the end, slogans do not recruit. The nature of the organization will recruit. We need to rebuild the esprit and pride in our organizations through good funding and training. As to leaders...The Army is looking for retired Field Grades and Senior NCOs to fill in at SROTC positions. We need to fill in where we can and volunteer for these positions, to disrupt our retirement and go back to service if necessary to lend our experience and expertise, so as to free up younger leaders for line duty. They Army is looking for retirees, retired less than ten years to serve at various SROTC locations around the country. The recruiting can and will turn around. Let's hope it happens soon after the new CiC takes office. We shall see. ============================================================ ARTICLE 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pointers for the New Prez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed.: A sailor's common sense thinking... *********************************************************** DS2 (SW) A.G. This is just my opinion of the first Executive order that President Bush should issue on the first hour of the first day of his administration. This would go a long way to fixing a derailed Defense Department. The issues I put forward here are entirely ADMINISTRATIVE in context, and under direct control of the President as the Commander in Chief. Deeper issues of how to deal with dwindling combat effectiveness and reduced capability caused by a lack of materials must be solved through intelligent application of funding for R&D and training and that will take the effort of the Legislature as well as the President and the respective Defense Secretaries to sort out. I may be just a measly ex-Second Class Squid, but these problems seem to me to be glaringly obvious and easy to fix. National Defense: The Armed Forces of the United States of America are here for the protection of our country and our Constitution. This is not the place for social engineering or self-promotion. * Service in the US Armed Forces shall not be limited by or subjected to examination of Race Religion, Sex, or Sexual Preference. As a practical matter, VOLUNTEERS will carry out the defense of our country. These men and women must understand that others they serve with will not hold the same views on many issues. Once the Oath is taken and the individual dons the Uniform, they no longer represent themselves, but the entire Country. As a member of the Armed Forces, and while they are in uniform, they will make every effort to refrain from pursuing a personal agenda. This means that if the member is gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or heterosexual, they will not use their position in the Armed forces to further the agenda of their particular sexual preference. Likewise any service member using their position to further any agenda other than successful execution of their assigned mission will not be tolerated. * All service members will conform to a single set of Physical Readiness standards set forth by the heads of the individual branches of the military. There will NOT be a set of standards for men and another for women. There will NOT be a reduced set of standards for the more elderly service members. We recognize that some men and some women will be unable to achieve these standards and will provide a reasonable amount of time and ample facilities for them to bring their individual performance up to the level required. However, if after that period of time they are unable to meet these standards, they will be dropped from the rolls of the Armed Forces. * After discharge or Retirement all members of the Armed Forces are forbidden to accept positions of employment, or to accept any monies from any Defense Contractor for anything other than an advisory or design position. Likewise no Defense Contractor may offer employment or monies to any Active, Inactive, Reserve, or Retired member of the Armed Services in anything other than an advisory or design position. There is to be no "Old Boy Network" to turn retired generals into millionaires in order to have influence in procurement situations within the Defense Department. * Only Service Members (Active, Inactive, Retired, and Reserve) and their dependants shall have access to Military and VA hospitals. In the event of a Service Members death while serving Honorably in the Armed Forces, the courtesy of Medical coverage at Military and VA Hospitals shall be extended until such time as the Dependants receive Medical Coverage from another source. Combat wounded shall have primacy of placement for all inpatient care regardless of rank or age of wound with only the exception of emergency care facilities, which will be administered as any other public or private hospital. Proof of service shall be required of all patients prior to treatment in all but urgent and emergency care situations. 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